Unit 3. zombies - survival

In this next section we will be having a closer look at how and where we could survive the best in a zombie apocalypse. In order to this we need to understand two factors

Biomes - what the different types of environments we have around the worldData - reading climate and topographic maps in order to locate the best environment.

TASK EIGHT

Before we start we need to understand some of the new terminology we'll be using when we look at this section of work. Complete the following group task HERE

The natural environment

Earth's natural environment can be seen as four interacting spheres. The solid part of the earth's crust, consisting of rocks and soil, is known as the lithosphere. All of earth's water bodies, including lakes, rivers, streams, oceans, groundwater and ice caps, are known as the hydrosphere, and the layer of gases surrounding the earth is known as the atmosphere. As energy and materials flow between these first three spheres, the perfect conditions for life to exist are produced which supports the fourth sphere. This realm of living things, including plants and animals, is known as the biosphere.​

TASK NINE

​So how can we use this information to find a location to survive from zombies ...? Lets have a look at the following environments and identify the spheres. Then for each one describe whether you think what qualities it has that would make it good/ bad for surviving a zombie apocaplyse. Copy the chart out into your books. Underneath the chart write your zombie explanations for each region.

Ecosystems

Ecosystems are specific areas of the environment that develop as a result of the interaction between the earth's four spheres. They are characterised by a unique collection of living organisms (plants and animals) which have adapted to their surrounding non-living environment (climate, rocks, soils and water).

The sizes of ecosystems vary. They can be as large as the earth's biosphere itself or the Sahara Desert, or as small as a fishpond. It is important to remember, however, that over time most of earth's ecosystems have been influenced in some way by the activities of humans, so there are very few ecosystems which remain in their purely natural state.​The model below shows the living and non-living components of an ecosystem. Each component is closely related and affects, or is affected by, each of the other components. The arrows in the diagram represent the interrelationships that occur between each part of an ecosystem. It is these specific interactions which cause each ecosystem to develop its own unique characteristics.

Everything in a biome is affected by everything else. When we chop down trees, build dams or create cities we change the biome, some of these can have long term and devasting effects on the environment

Have a think about this classroom. Lets break down the 4 spheres within this room ...

Atmosphere : There is very little fresh air, no wind or breeze. It's humid and warm all the time.

How does this atmosphere affect the Biosphere in the room?

Warmth makes people slow moving and lethargic, they are likey to be less clothed and more sedentary. No plant life due to lack of water and warmth.

Hydrosphere - becuase of the lack of air circulation and warmth there is very little moisture in the air. No water lying around.

Lithosphere - surroundings are dry and dusty.

HOW DOES CLIMATE AFFECT THE SPHERES ?​Climate is arguably the most important factor influencing each of the components of an ecosystem. For example, the temperature and amount of precipitation received directly influences the type of vegetation produced.

Warmer climates with higher rainfall will be the most productive having taller and more closely spaced trees, like that of the tropical rainforest. Areas with the coldest climates and lowest rainfall figures have very little vegetation, like that of the Arctic Tundra.

Climate also influences the type of soils produced in a region. Deep soils tend to develop in areas where precipitation exceeds evaporation. This is because the parent rock is weathered to a greater depth. Higher rainfall also means that larger amounts of dissolved nutrients are carried down to the subsoil beyond the reach of plants, therefore reducing soil fertility.

​In arid areas, where evaporation exceeds precipitation, water moves upward through the soil and the dissolved salts are deposited near the surface creating an infertile soil. The most fertile soils tend to occur in areas of seasonal rainfall where leaching of nutrients during the wet season is balanced by the upward movement of minerals in the dry season. ​

TASK TEN - OPEN BOOK TEST/WORKSHEET

Click HERE for copy Alternative : students in groups show how the spheres are interconnected re last question on test.